Gravesend & N 2 Aldershot 1

GRAVESEND & Northfleet collected one of their most important three points of the season when they came from behind to beat Aldershot 2-1 at Stonebridge Road last night.

With the Fleet, who lie second in the Ryman League, Premier Division, meeting a team just one place below them in the table, it promised to be a close contest and that's how it proved.

The first period got off to a lively start with Aldershot striker Stafford Brown booked for a high challenge on home goalkeeper Jamie Turner within the opening five minutes. But that was about the only talking point of the opening exchanges as a combination of the bad weather, slack passing and fussy refereeing prevented the game from flowing.

In fact the first shot on target provided the first goal when Owen Coll headed Aldershot ahead at the far post on 38 minutes after being left unmarked by the Gravesend defence. The lead lasted only five minutes as home defender Aaron Barnett bundled the ball in from close-range after an almighty goal-mouth scramble following a Fleet right wing corner.

After such a dreadful first half the last thing most supporters expected was a goal in the opening moments of the second period. But that's exactly what they got just 16 seconds after the re-start, when Craig Wilkins struck a low shot into the corner of the net following a slip by an Aldershot defender.

The goal inevitably lifted the home team and although Aldershot pressed forward for an equaliser, Turner didn't have a serious save to make in the second period.

At the other end, Gravesend could, and possibly should, have extended their lead but Wilkins glanced a header wide of the mark on 63 minutes and substitute Paul Booth failed to make the most of two good opportunities in the final 12 minutes.

The result means Andy Ford's side remain two points behind current pace-setters Canvey Island, who also won last night, but the Fleet have two games in hand on their nearest rivals.

Gravesend put their promotion credentials to a different test this Saturday when they play host to Nationwide Conference outfit Stalybridge Celtic in the FA Umbro Trophy.

Gravesend: Turner, Coyle, Skinner, Lye, Barnett, Duku, Owen, McKimm, Jackson, Wilkins, Parker (Booth 72).

Attendance: 1,216